Clip for holding a moisture barrier membrane over metal studs

ABSTRACT

A clip for holding a moisture barrier membrane over metal studs generally comprises a clip configured and sized for tightly and resiliently engage the edge of a metal stud for the purpose of attaching a moisture barrier caught in between the clip and the metal stud. The clip does not have any sharp edges which could perforate the moisture barrier. The clip has a straight section from which integrally extends a curled section which comprises a first elbow, a second elbow, and a third elbow.

This application claims priority based on provisional application 60/541,273 filed Feb. 3, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to construction material but more particularly to a clip designed for holding a moisture barrier membrane, such as polyethylene, onto studs, most particularly metal studs.

2. Background of the Invention

Amongst the various steps involved in the construction of a building is the step of putting-in insulation, including a moisture barrier. When using wooden studs, it is easy to use a staple gun to secure the moisture barrier onto the studs but things are quite different when it comes to metal studs. To this day, workers have to use ingenuity when it comes to finding ways of keeping the moisture barrier in place. One method involves using little pieces of cardboard through which a screw is passed through and into the metal stud. This method is time consuming, to say the least.

U.S. Pat. No. 601,354 describes a U shaped clip clipping on shelves and mouldings for holding drapes.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,247,558 describes a clip for holding motion picture film onto reels.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,698 describes a jig for mounting electrical outlet boxes onto studs. It has a three sided open loop section adapted to grasp a wall of an outlet box, an aligment arm section extending from the loop section to align the box and jig to a stud.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,414 describes a connector assembly for attaching drapery to a table, or the like. The assembly includes a plurality of resilient clips and a male fastener onto which is clipped a female fastener.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,293 describes a non-nail U-shaped clamp type barbed bracket for connecting electric outlet box to a wall stud in which the U-shaped clamp is permanently secured to one side wall of the outlet box and the clamp can be hammered into place at a desired position on a wall stud. The two sides of the U-shaped clamp will frictionally grip the adjacent sides of the stud and each clamp side has inwardly extending barbs which will dig into the stud and prevent the removal of the clamp therefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,336 describes a system for the demountable attachment of architectural components and particularly the demountable attachment of wallboard panels to conventional wall and partition framing members, in such a way as to permit individual panels to be removed for access to the wall cavity. A preferred form of the invention utilizes a series of barbed clips, mechanically fastened to conventional framing members along each panel intersection joint. The clips are provided with a series of resilient barbs, protruding in angular opposing directions so as to penetrate and engage opposing marginal edges of abutting wallboard panels.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,506 describes an adjustable outlet box mounting assembly comprising an electrical oultet box slidably engaged with a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a wall stud. The oultet box mounting assembly comprises an outlet box having an attaching portion provided on one side wall, a U-shaped mounting bracket having an attaching leg with means for slidably engaging the attaching portion of the outlet box, and stopping means for limiting the forward and rearward travel of the outlet box with respect to the mounting bracket.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,945 describes a detent clip adapted to fit around the edge of a door and positioned so that the clip prevents the swinging movement of a real estate lockbox attached to the handle of the door. The clip comprises a substantially U-shaped member, one leg of which has a projecting portion to bear against the lockbox thereby deterring its swinging movement when the door is opened or closed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,318 describes a substantially U-shaped stud engaging clip formed from a resilient plastic or metal material and dimensioned for frictional engagement with a standard 2″×4″ or 2″×6″ framing stud. A wire engaging clip body is formed on a side wall of the stud engaging clip and includes a plurality of resilient clips which may be selectively dimensioned to secure flat cables, round cables, or individual wires. Preferably, each wire engaging clip body includes a variety of differently dimensioned individual clip elements to allow convenient securement of various different conventional forms of wiring.

The prior art has not shown any devices specifically addressing this particular need, there is therefore a need for a means for holding a moisture barrier membrane over metal studs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are to provide an efficient, economical, and easy to manufacture clip that is easy to install and that reliably holds a moisture membrane against metal studs.

To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a clip configured and sized for tightly and resiliently engage the edge of a metal stud for the purpose of attaching a moisture barrier caught in between the clip and the metal stud. The clip does not have any sharp edges which could perforate the moisture barrier. The clip has a straight section from which integrally extends a curled section which comprises a first elbow, a second elbow, and a third elbow.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 Top view of a stud with the clip engaged

FIG. 2 Top view of the clip.

FIG. 3 Orthogonal view of a clip in context.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A clip (10) for holding a moisture barrier membrane (12) over metal studs (14) is configured and sized for tightly and resiliently engage the edge of the metal stud (14) for the purpose of attaching the moisture barrier (12) caught in between the clip (10) and the metal stud (14). All exposed corners of the clip (10) are rounded off to eliminate the risk of perforating the moisture barrier (12).

The clip (10) has a straight section (16) from which integrally extends a curled section (18) which comprises a first elbow (20), a second elbow (22) and a third elbow (24).

When installing the clip (10) over a metal stud (14), the moisture barrier (12) is first put in place and then, the curled section (18) is wrapped around the edge (26) of the metal stud (14) along with the moisture barrier (12). The method used for doing it is to first engage a gap (28) created by the second elbow (22) onto the edge (26) and then pushing the straight section (16) against the metal stud (14) as indicated by arrow <<I >> of FIG. 1. This action fully engages the curled section (18) onto the edge (26) and secures both the clip (10) and the moisture barrier (12) onto the metal stud (14).

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A clip for holding a moisture barrier membrane over metal studs configured and sized for tightly and resiliently engaging a metal stud's edge for the purpose of attaching said moisture barrier membrane caught in between said clip and said metal stud and said clip further comprising: a straight section from which integrally extends a curled section which comprises a first elbow, a second elbow, and a third elbow; said second elbow creating a gap.
 2. A clip for holding a moisture barrier membrane over metal studs having the following method of use: a gap is firstly engaged onto an edge of a stud; said gap being created by a second elbow as it engages onto said edge; pushing a straight section of said clip against said stud; said pushing of said straight section engaging a curled section onto said edge to secure both said clip and a moisture barrier onto said stud. 